In honor of Veterans Day, the town of Dighton dedicated its first Veterans Cemetery in a special ceremony on Monday.

The ceremony continued the town’s Veterans Day celebrations that began with a bridge dedication to longtime resident Clinton Rose earlier in the morning.

At 10 a.m., a crowd of about 50 gathered behind the Dighton Community Church to dedicate the 120-plot cemetery that is separated from the rest of the church’s cemetery by a stone wall.

Leading the ceremony was the town’s Veterans Agent Jack Taylor, who noted that not many towns have their own Veterans Cemetery.

“As a town, we’re very fortunate to have that,” Taylor said.

While speaking to the crowd, Richmond Tripp, chair of the church’s Board of Trustees, spoke about the history of creating this Veterans Cemetery.

According to Tripp, the land for the cemetery was purchased in 1996 from the abutters of the church. The layout of the cemetery was drafted and presented to the town in 2005, and it wasn’t until Boy Scout Marc Horton took on the project as part of his attempt to attain the rank of Eagle Scout that it was finally realized.

As part of his project, Horton cleared and leveled the land and erected a flagpole.

“It took a while, but it was in the works,” noted Tripp to the crowd. “...I also hope this will be a sacred burial ground for the veterans of Dighton.”

“The size of your town does not in any way shape or reflect the size of your heart,” Haddad said, adding that the town’s Veterans Cemetery and Memorial “just continues to show how special you all are.”

Pacheco and Cronin also spoke of the importance of recognizing veterans for their sacrifice.

“I reach out today, and I urge and challenge all the people here to pass on the their friends and relatives — when you see a veteran, say thank you,” Cronin said. “They deserve it. Not just one day, but 365 days a year.”

Also at the ceremony were representatives of the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion of Somerville, who presented Horton with a certificate of their appreciation for his efforts.